Home / Disasters and Accidents / Colorado Fire Rages Near Yosemite, Forces Closures
Colorado Fire Rages Near Yosemite, Forces Closures
2 Sep
Summary
- Colorado Fire near Yosemite National Park spans 250 acres.
- Evacuations ordered for Briceburg, affecting 45 structures.
- Highway 140, a main Yosemite entry, is shut down.
- Yosemite National Park remains open and unaffected.
A wildfire, dubbed the Colorado Fire, ignited near Yosemite National Park on Tuesday afternoon. As of Tuesday evening, the blaze had expanded to cover 250 acres, prompting immediate evacuation orders and warnings for the community of Briceburg in Mariposa County. Officials reported that approximately 45 structures were under threat from the flames.
Despite the significant acreage burned and evacuations, park officials confirmed that Yosemite National Park remained open and was not directly endangered by the fire. However, the incident led to the closure of a crucial access point, Highway 140, which is now shut down between Briceburg and Bug Hostel.
Cal Fire indicated that fire activity was influenced by the terrain, moving towards the river canyon. While there was potential for the fire to become established in the canyon, increased humidity levels on Tuesday evening helped to slow its progression. Alternative access to Yosemite National Park is available via Highway 41, Highway 120 (Big Oak Flat and Tioga Pass entrances), and Hetch Hetchy entrances.
